As this season of giving begins and the Christmas season approaches, the Christmas Food Basket program gets underway. The need in our community is ever present. The Christmas Food Basket Program is designed to off-set some of the needs for families in our community during this joyous time.

As in the past, the program is a community effort and is dependent upon the generosity of individuals and organizations for sponsorship and support. For those wishing to donate to the program, there is an account at First Security Bank. Funds may also be mailed to: Christmas Food Baskets, P. O. Box 462, Roundup, MT 59072. It is too early to determine what the local needs will be, but it is anticipated that the needs will be great this year. The expenses of filling over 100 baskets in 2019 were great and the 2020 Christmas Food Baskets are totally dependent upon the generosity of the community. Receipt of donations by Monday, December 7th, would be greatly appreciated so the amount available for the Food Baskets can be adhered to when placing food orders; however, the Christmas Food Basket Program is happy to receive donations year-round! Ms. Christine Wanner will place donation canisters in local businesses and will be handling the collection and deposit of donations from the canisters until after January 1, 2021.

Applications for food baskets are available at the local grocery checkout counters, as well as printed in this newspaper. All applicants are provided a food basket with no questions asked. Deadline for applications is Friday, December 4th, 2020. This lead time is needed to order turkeys and other food items that are to be distributed. The Christmas Food Baskets will be prepared on Monday, December 21st, and distributed on Tuesday, December 22nd. Volunteers are desperately needed on Monday, December 21st, to help collect the food items from the local grocery stores (pickup trucks needed), distribute canned goods into the boxes and organize the distribution process.

Please contact Cindi Goffena at 323-1242 or 860-1577 if you wish to learn more about the program or want to volunteer your services on the 21st. It has always been a very rewarding experience for those supporting the program. If you have not participated in the past, consider helping with the program this year!